Diana Peeva¹, Krassimir Petkov²

¹Todor Kableshkov University of Transport (Sofia, Bulgaria)
²Vasil Levski National Sports Academy (Sofia, Bulgaria)

BMI OF FEMALE STUDENTS NEWLY ENROLLED AT TODOR KABLESHKOV UNIVERSITY OF TRANSPORT

Sport Mont 2014, XII(40-41-42), 93-97

Abstract

Introduction: The paper presents the results of a study where besides using the conventional anthropometry, the individual Body Mass Index (BMI) or Ketle Index was calculated. Being established in the mid-nineteenth century, Ketle Index gained wide popularity in the 1950s and 1960s when the problem of obesity in the developed countries acquire serious levels. The aim was to prove the relationship between anthropometric parameters and Body Mass Index as well as the possible health risks of the individual. Methods: The study was carried out on 78 first-year female students at the Todor Kableshkov University of Transport (VTU). The indicators examined were: height, weight, skin fold, waist circumference and BMI. Descriptive statistics was used with data processing and different methods were applied to establish the anthropometric parameters: Body Mass Index or Kettle Index; quantitative subcutaneous fat according to the method developed by Deurenberg; comparative analysis of the link between waist circumference; BMI and the state of the individual’s body. Results: The study showed that the average BMI for the entire group of students was 23.1 and subcutaneous fat of 26.6% respectively. Nearly 10% of those being examined are overweight combining high levels of subcutaneous fat and waist circumference, which is a prerequisite for increased risk of disease. Discussion: In the academic year 2011/2012 a study of anthropometric indicators of the newly-enrolled female students was carried out at the Todor Kableshkov University of Transport (VTU). In compliance with some studies (Popov, 1969) a slight increase of size and weight is observed with increasing the age of women during the time of study at university while according to others (Karapetrov, 1978) changes in anthropometric indicators are reported to a later age. According to the research related to introduction of Euro fit tests, BMI as an indicator of general health of the body works in combination with the coefficients of subcutaneous fat (skin fold) and the waist/hips ratio. With big values of the three variables, there are high health risks for individuals. According to some studies (Bjorntorp, 1992), the abdomen fat leads to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes than the fats in other parts of the body. The considerable part of participants in this study had normal weight but with a tendency of its increasing that could result in bad condition of the organism. Using the advantages of physical education, it is largely possible to correct most of negative results obtained through the study, especially in relation to obesity and waist circumference. References: Deurenberg P, Westrate JA, Seidell JC (1991). Br J Nutr., 65(2),105-14. Bjorntorp P (1992). J Cardiovasc Pharmacol, 8S, 26-8.

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